CENTERVILLE — Police officers don’t get invited to family gatherings when things are going well.

“We get a full dose of bad stuff,” said Centerville Assistant Police Chief Paul Child, “We get our share of people not exactly happy to see us, so it’s nice to get this type of support.”

Child and others from the city’s police and fire departments, plus city and state leaders, were invited to a lunch barbeque at Don’s Meats, 55 S. Main in Centerville.

“We’re doing what we can to support the community,” said Mark Hains, manager of the store. “Public servants are often putting their lives on the lines. This is a way to thank them for what they do for us.”

Another guest at the lunch was Utah Lt. Gov. Greg Bell, who talked with city leaders about their work and their departments, and spoke in support of enterprises such as Don’s Meats.

“Government is important, but what’s really important is the private sector,” said Bell. “That’s what makes America America. Those are the people who give us jobs.”

Bell complimented Hains, who opened the store 10 months ago. It is the third Don’s Meats store in Davis County. The first started in Sunset more 50 years ago, and the second opened in Syracuse four years ago.

“It takes a lot of guts” to start a new business, said Bell. “There are no guarantees, no government subsidies Р you just have to work hard every day, do a better job every day, keep your customers happy and have good employees. They’re the guys that give the rest of us what we have.”